Kill Mary to Save Jodie
This is obviously an extremely difficult and emotional decision forthe parents of these co-joined twins, and as such, they certainly should bethe ultimate decision-makers in the life or death of their daughters. Itis quite inconceivable that English law does not recognize the parents'wishes, or allows their wishes to take precedence in the final decision.Ultimately, it is the parents who will have to live with the survivor (ifthere is one), and ultimately it is the parents who will have to live withtheir decision to save one baby, if they choose to do this, or lose bothbabies. Morally and ethically, the decision should rest with the parents,and not with doctors who will not bear the consequences long after theoperation is completed. Unfortunately, in this case the parents do notwant to do anything, which will probably eventually kill both daughters.This is their decision and they must live with it. However, it is not forthe courts to step in and play God, it is still the parents' decision, and It is easy to see how ethics play such an impo
The people next most affected are the parents, andthey have made their wishes quite clear. Since Jodie has a good chance ofsurviving without Mary, it seems the most ethical choice for the parentswould be to save Jodie, and mercifully end Mary's life, which will never benormal or life with any quality. The courts anddoctors can rule, and move along to the next case. Playing God is nevereasy, but giving up the responsibility to God, rather than taking a standon their own, is just as dangerous as playing God, in fact, it is playingGod in reverse, and using God as an excuse not to make a decision on theirown. The sounddecision by the parents would seem to be to save Jodie so at least one oftheir daughters can go on to lead a meaningful and productive life. It seems almost selfish of the parents to place everything in God'shands, while they make no decision. As itis, Mary will almost certainly die, and she may sap Jodie's strength somuch that she eventually dies too. This is onevery unusual case where the law is not always the right thing to do, andthe laws should be modified to allow for unusual cases such as this. Theymay not happen often, but when they do, they try the decision makingprocess on both sides, and they make people wonder about the ethics of lawsthat force parents into decisions they do not want or approve of. Thepeople most affected are Mary and Jodie, and they are not able to speak, ormake their wants known. To not do so is to sentence both daughters to aterrible quality of life, and probably eventual death. The parents have tolive with their decision, right or wrong, for the rest of their lives, andthat is reason enough to allow them to make it on their own. However, I stillmaintain that ultimately the responsibility lies with the parents, and thecourts should not step in, whether they agree or disagree with the parents'choice. rtant part in thisargument, and how feeling could grow heated on both sides. The courts and doctors shouldrespect the parents' wishes, and leave this case alone.
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